Cox Communications has named industry veteran Mark Greatrex as its new senior vice president and chief marketing officer, replacing Joe Rooney, who was named senior vice president of brand marketing, social media and advertising last year.
As CMO, Greatrex will be responsible for overseeing all marketing activities including customer value management, branding and advertising, research, pricing and bundling, product and competitive marketing, business-to-business marketing, acquisition and retention marketing, and marketing communications.
Greatrex is also charged with ensuring strategy alignment with Cox's strategy, product and technology leaders.
"Mark has valuable experience positioning consumer brands in a very competitive marketplace," Cox executive vice president and chief operating officer Leo Brennan said in a statement. "His leadership will be instrumental as we communicate the advantages and value that Cox offers to customers."
Greatrex has more than 25 years marketing experience for consumer brands, most recently as senior vice president of Global Still Beverages at the Coca-Cola Co., where he was responsible for a $7 billion portfolio of beverages.
Prior to Coca-Cola, Greatrex was executive vice president of brand marketing at America Online where he was responsible for marketing AOL's broadband and dial-up Internet access services across a portfolio of brands, comprised of more than 30 million subscribers. Prior to AOL, he was a part owner and company officer who led marketing and sales operations for Eagle Family Foods Inc.
He began his marketing career at Unilever PLC in 1984 and held general management and marketing roles of increasing responsibility during his 16-year career with the company culminating with his promotion to vice president and general manager of Lipton Tea's US operations.
"Cox is known for having a strong brand that resonates with customers," Greatrex said in a statement. "The company is well-positioned for future success as both an innovator and market leader, and I look forward to being a part of the team."
In a separate announcement, Cox said that vice president of wireless Stephen Bye has left to accept another position in the industry. Cox does plan to hire a replacement for Bye.
In the interim, Len Barlik, a seasoned wireless industry veteran and Cox's executive vice president of product development and management, will maintain the daily operations, development, management and support of Cox's wireless strategy, products and services.
Cox also confirmed that long-time executive Mimi Thigpen is no longer with the company. Thigpen served in Cox's strategy organization, most recently as senior vice president of program management.
